Letting go of leadership

I am writing this letter in response to the firing of Head Basketball Coach John Dzik. When I first heard the news I was upset and completely surprised. It is now almost two months later and I still do not understand your decision, nor do I think I ever will.

Coach Dzik has given himself to Cabrini College for 25 years and is now getting cut loose like a fray on a pair of jeans. Coach Dzik has built the basketball program into national recognition, and was on the same path with the rest of the athletic department until he stepped down. You can ask anyone that has ever played sports at Cabrini and they will tell you Coach Dzik had a positive influence on them.

During my years at Cabrini he even coached the women’s field hockey team while Coach Neary was sick with cancer.

He sacrificed his time to provide a leader for those young women in a championship game, and it is sad that I say, you President Iadarola, are not providing the leadership in a similar situation. The college preaches tradition, leadership and family atmosphere. Well, why then would you let go of the biggest piece of tradition, leadership, and family you have at the college.

Would you cut off all contact with your favorite grandfather or grandmother? That is what you are doing to Cabrini College and Coach Dzik

I played basketball at Cabrini for three years from 1999-2002. And I saw you at exactly one game, which you didn’t even stay the whole time for You weren’t at any of the championship or NCAA games that I played in; another example of poor, poor leadership on your part. Coach Dzik took me in, like every other student athlete, as one of his own.

In my three years I learned a lot in school, on the basketball court, and in life. And the biggest influence in my years at Cabrini was not a professor, my advisor, or yourself, it was Coach Dzik. And I think everyone else who had contact with Coach Dzik could say the same thing. I come from a family of separated parents and Coach

Dzik and the rest of the basketball staff were like fathers to me. They guided me on and off the court to become the best person I truly can be. It was not until I graduated that I realized how much influence these men had on my life. It is sad that they will not be around in that capacity anymore.

I still attend eight to 10 games a year to support Coach Dzik and the basketball team, not to support the college. The college offered me a chance to get an education, while fulfilling a dream of playing college basketball, and I thank them for that. But no longer can I support Cabrini College in any capacity, while you are still the President.

With this in mind I request that you take my name off of all mailings and solicitations immediately. Please no longer contact me, for I cannot support a college that treats one of my family members unlike one of its own.

Respectfully,

Tim Gordon Class of 2002

My name is Allen Brydges and I am a Cabrini College alum. I am writing this letter today because I have great concern about the direction the College is headed. I am a 2001 graduate and currently taking my masters at Cabrini. I have great respect for you and the college, but at this time I am confused and angry.

The decision to not keep Coach Dzik on as head basketball coach has me puzzled. I played basketball at Cabrini for Coach Dzik and I know how important he is to the college. Coach has touched the lives of so many individuals including myself. I am currently teaching and coaching in the Upper Darby school district. Down the road I hope to take over a College program and can only hope to be half as successful as Coach Dzik. This is why your decision confuses me. Coach has been like a father to so many kids and has graduated players who without him would have never made it. He has never done anything to hurt the College and has dedicated his entire life the the school. He is one of the winningest coaches in D3 history. Coach

Dzik should be aloud to stay on as long as he wants. Everything I do when coaching my team I learned from Coach and I ashamed of Cabrini. Coach is still at the top of his game and if left in place would win several more PAC Titles (not state championships).

I think you have overlooked the importance of a strong basketball program. With Coach Dzik people all over the country know about Cabrini without him that will fade.

I hope you will reconsider your decision and reinstate Coach. Until then however I would like to be removed from all Cabrini mailing lists. I have also stopped my masters program and will continue it at St.Joe’s. St. Joe’s is cheaper but i choose Cabrini anyway because of my loyalty to the school. Loyalty that I have lost. I hope you will change your mind and I can someday again be proud to say I went to Cabrini.

Until Coach Dzik is coaching again I want nothing todo with Cabrini.

Sincerely,

Allen Brydges Class of 2001